Coin-controlled gasometer.



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W. J. HILL.

COIN CONTROLLED GABOMETBR.

APPLIUATIO]! Hum 81;?! 16,1907.

Patented Nov. 24, 1908.

3 BEBETB-BHEHT L fa lzz W. J. HILL. com CONTROLLED GASOMETER.

APPLICATION TILED SEPTJG, 1907.

Iatented Nov. 24, 1908 3 SHEETS-SHEET 2v W J HILL COIN CONTROLLEDGASOMETEB.

rum-non mum arm. 10. 1901.

Patented Nov. 24, 1908.

3 SHEETS-SHEET}.

I I n u I r n v nwmioz Wit" canes WILLIAM J. HILL, OF PHILADELPHIA,PENNSYLVANIA.

COIN-CONTROLLED GASOMETEB. I

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Nov. 24, 1908.

Application filed September 16, 1907. Serial No. 892,998-

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, NILLIAM J. HILL, a citizen of the United States,residing in the city and county of Philadelphia, Stateof Pennsylvania,have invented a new and useful Coin-Controlled Gasometer, of which thefollowing is a specification.

1% present invention relates to coin contro ed vending machines andsince my invent ion is especially adapted for use in connection withprepayment gasometers, I have p: d to illustrate the same in conjunciiontherewith, wherein by the insertion of a coin of proper dimensions, thefluid inlet valve is opened a predetermined distance, said valve beingautomatically closed during the normal working of the meter after theprepaid supply of fluid has been furnished. To the above ends myinvention consists of a novel construction of coin controlled mechanismfor fluid meters or vending ma,- chines. It further consists of a novelconstruction of coin controlled mechanism in which means are providedfor preventing any tampering with the apparatus by unauthorized persons,

For the purpose of illustrating my invention, I have shown in theaccompanying drawings, a preferred form thereof, since this embodimentgives satisfactory and reliable results in practice, although it is tobe understood thatthe various instrumentalities of which my inventionconsists can be,

variously arranged and organized and that my invention is not limited tothe precise arrangement and organization of these instrumentalities asherein shown.

Figure 1 represents a plan view of a coin controlled gasometer em odyingmy invention, certain parts thereof having been removed for the sake ofclearness of illustration. Fig. 2 represents a sectional elevationhaving certain parts removed. Fig. 3 represents a perspective view of aportion of my device. certain parts being shown detached for clearnessof illustration. Figs. 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 and-9 represent perspective viewsof different parts of the coin controlled mechanism in detachedposition. Fig. 10 represents a sectional plan view showing the manner inwhich a coin of proper dimensions locks the disks together. Fig. 11represents an end view of Figs. 6 and 7 in assembled position. Fig. 12represents a sectional v ew of the spring pressed plunger and itsadplncts.

Similar numerals of reference indicate corresponding parts in thefigures.

Referring to the drawings 1-1 designates the meter easing which hasextending therefrom, the studs 2, which are adapted to engage theapertures 3 in the casing 4, whereby the latter may be removably securedto the meter casing 1.- v

The casing 4 is provided with the rods or studs 5, which pass throughthe front plate 6 of said casing and are secured in place by means ofnuts or equivalent devices 7. I

8 designates an actuating handle orlever which is provided with a boss 9into which one end of the shaft 10 extends, said shaft having mountedthereon, a clutch collar 11 which is provided witha groove or recess 12into which a pin 13 carried by the boss 9 is adapted to extend, in orderto revent relative rotation of said boss ant said clutch collar.

The shaft 10 has its outer and preferably reduced and journaled in thecasing 4, said shaft being maintained in proper position with res ectthereto by means of a nut 14 having tiireaded or other engagementtherewit 81 designates a spring interposed between the boss 9 and asuitable portion ofthe clutch member 11, whereby said clutch member isnormally maintained in engagement with a clutch member 82carried by arotatable disk 15, which is loosely mounted on the shaft 10. y

'16 designates a plunger against which the tension of a spring 17 isexerted, said spring bein contained within a casing 18 carrie by hefront plate 6, and a suitable cap 19 bein provided in order to limit theoutwar plunger 16 is adapted to engage with one or the other of theapertures 20 in order to prevent, at certain times, the rotation of thedisk 15. p

The disk 15 as most clearly seen in Fig. 4 is provided with a flange 21on its periphery, which is cut away as indicated at 22 on opposite sidesthereof, whereby a coin. of the proper dimensions may be insertedtlierethrough.

23 and 24 designate pins or studs carried by the disk 15 in proximity tothe cut away portions 22 of theflange 21.

25 designates a disk loosely mounted on the shaft 10. said disk beingprovided with movement of the plunger 16. The

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the diametricall o d studs or pins 26 and 27. The dizk 25 its peripheryreduced as is indicated at 28, whereby an indicating drum 29 may beseated thereon. The member 25 has secured thereto, b means of the setscrews or equivalent devices 30, the internal gear 31, with which isadapted to mesh a gear 32 carried by a rod 33, it being noted that theshaft 10 is cut away as indicated at 34 in order that the gear '32 mayfreely rotate. The rod.33 has also rigidly mounted thereon, the stud orone toothed wheel 35, which engages at certain times with one of theteeth 36 carried by the internal flange 37 of the rin member 29, as willbe clearly apparent 'rom Figs. 6, 7 and 11.

The-rin member 29 is adapted to have indicated t iereon, as at 38, anys' us or reference numerals which indicate t e amount of fluidwhich thedevice is adapted to measure or the number of coins deposited.

39 designates a disk, the eriphery of which is adapted to engage t einner Jeriphery of the ring member 29, said disk having extendintherethrough, a cylindrical tube or ha 40, which is cut away asindicated at 41 in order that it will not intert fere with the rotationof the pinion or gear 32. The disk 39 is provided with an aperture 42,which serves as a bearing for the rod 33.

43 designates a pinion mounted on a shaft 44, which latter is journaled'in the disk 39, said pinion 43 being adapted to mesh with the internalgear 31.

45 designates a gear mounted on the shaft 44 and adapted to mesh withthe idler 49 when the device is'assembled.

The members 25 and 39 are maintained in their assembled position bymeans of a 46 which passes through the tube 40 ri 'dly secured to thedisk 39 and also througi the.

shaft 10.

47 designates teeth on the ring member 29 with which the free end of aspring 48 is adapted to engage when the parts are assembled to preventimproper rotation ofthe indicator drum 29, it being noted thatsaidspring 48 has one end secured in any suitported by the plate 51.Theidler 52 meshes with a inion 54 mounted ona shaft 55 journaled in thecasing 1. The shaft 55 is provided with andhas secured thereto, a wormshaft 56 journaled in the standards 57, said gear, in the presentinstance, having a right hand thread thereoh, withwhich meshes a wormwheel 58 mounted on a shaft 59, the ends of which are loosely mounted onthe cross rods 60 carried by the standards 57. The worm wheel 58 alsomeshes with a worm 61 journaled in the standards :7 and having integraltherewith or secured thereto, a shaft 62 provided with a pinion 63,which meshes with a worm 64 on a shaft 65, whereby the pinion 66,011said shaft drives the worm 67 which is controlled by the mechanismactuated by the fluid passing from the machine.

68 desi ates the fiuid inlet opening which is contro led b the valve 69,which is pivoted to one en of a lever 70, which latter is fulcrumed at71. The lever 70 is provided,

at its outer end, with the angularly inclined or cam slot 72 in whichone end of the shaft 59 extends, whereby on the lateral movement 7 ofsaid shaft, the valve 70 will be raised or opened depending upon thedirection of such movement.

73 designates a cam member rigidly mounted on the shaft 10 forengagement with the coin, as shown clearly in Fig. 10.

The casing 4 is provided with a coin a perture 74 and an aperture 75through which the data on the ring member 29 may be seen.

76 desi ates a plate or cover which has one end in ed to the casing 4,the other end thereof eing provided with ad aperture 77,.whereby it maybe sealed to the catch 78 carried by a portion of the casing 4 so thatafter the coins have passed from the machine and dropped through thecoin aperture 79 into the lower part of the casing. access to theindicator cannot be had without first breaking the above mentioned seal.

The operation of my apparatus will-now be readily apparent. \Vhen theactuating handle or lever B is rotated to the left, it will be evidentthat the clutch member 11 will ride over the clutch member 82, so thatthe member 15 will not be rotated. When a coin of proper dimensions isinserted in the coin slot 74, it will engage one of the pins 23 or 24and one of the studs 27 or 26 carried by the member 25, as will bereadily apparent from Fig. 10. If the actuating lever 8 is now'rotatedto the right, the member 25 will be rotated therewith, thereby causingthe internal gear 31 to rotate, and the latter c0- acting with the gear32 will cause said gear '32 to be rotated and as the stud 35 makes oneoomplete-revolution, it will cause the drum 29 to be rotated one tooth,said member 29 being prevented from rotating in a reverse directionowing to the employment of the spring stop 48. Since the pinion 43meshes with the internal gear 31, as the latter rotates, the pinion 43will rotate in unison therewith, thereby causing the gear 45 to berotated and owing to the employment of tion of the shaft 55 causes theworm 56 to rotate, thereby causing the rotation of the worm wheel 58 andsince the shaft 59 on which the worm wheel is mounted engages theangular slot or recess in the lever 70, said lever will be rocked on itsfulcrum 71 thereby causing the inlet valve 69 to be raised and permitthe fluid to pass through the meter. It will now be understood that asthe fluid passes from the machine, the pinion 63 will be actuated in theusual man- 'ner, thereby causing the worm 61 to rotate and the Wormwheel 58 to return to its initial or left hand position, thereby causingthe inlet valve 69 to close. I

It will now be apparent to those skilled in the art that I have deviseda novel and useful construction of cqin controlled mech-' anism for gasmeters and similar mechanisms which embody the features ofadvantage-enumerated as desirable in the statement of invention and theabove description and while I have, in the present instance, shown anddescribed the preferred embodiment thereof which has been found inpractice to give satisfactory and reliable results, it is to beunderstood that the same is susceptible of modification in variousparticulars without departing from the spirit and scope of the inventionor sacrificing any of its advantages.

It is of course to be understood that the casing which incloses theoperating mechanism may be provided with any desired type of doors orother mechanism whereby access may be had at a desired time to the moneybox or other receptacle in which the coifis fall after passing betweenthe rotatable dis s.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim' as new and desire tosecure by Letters- Patent, is

1. In a meter mechanism, a stationary shaft, a driven disk looselymounted thereon, valve-controlling mechanism actuated by said drivendisk, actuating means for said driven disk, a second disk on said shaft,a valve, a valve-carrying lever and means operatively connected withfirstenamed disk and embodying a worm and worm shaft and means actingupon said lever for controlling the valve. 2,. In a meter mechanism, astationary shaft, a driven disk loosely mounted thereon, valvecontrolling mechanism actuated by said driven disk, actuating means forsaid driven disk, an indicator actuated by said driven disk, a drum, astud for rotatin said drum one tooth at each complete revo ution of thestud, and means for preventing rotation of said drum in the reversedirection.

3. In a meter mechanism, a stationary shaft, a driven disk looselvmounted thereon, a gear carried by said driven dish, a second gearcoacting therewith, a stud carried by said second gear, a registeringmechanism actuated by said stud to be rotated one tooth at each completerevolution of the stud, and

actuating means for said driven disk.

4. In a meter mechanism, a stationary shaft, a driven disk looselymounted thereon, actuating mean: for said disk including a clutchmechanism, valve controlled mechan- .ism embodying a valve-carryinglever having an angularlyinclincd slot, said valve .controllingmechanism being operatively connected with said lever, and means fordriving said mechanism from said disk.

5. In a meter mechanism, a stationary shaft, a driven disk looselmounted thereon, actuating means for said disk including a clutchmechanism, valve controlled mechanism einbodying a valve-carrying leverhaving an angularly inclined slot, said'valvc controlling mechanismbeing operatively connected with said lever, means for driving saidmechanism from said disk. and a registering device actuated by saiddriven disk.

6. In a meter mechanism, a stationary shaft, a driven disk looselymounted thereon, means for actuating said disk, an indicating mechanism.and means interposed between said disk and mechanism involving avalvecarryin lever with an inclined slot and the valve 0' the meter foractuating said indicatin mechanism.

11 a meter mechanism, a stationary shaft, a driven disk loosely mountedthereon, means for actuating said disk, an indicatin mechanism, meansinterposed between said disk and mechanism involving a valve-carryingleverwith an inclined slot and the valve of the meter for actuating saidindi cating mechanism, and means cotiperating' with said indicatingmechanism to prevent retrograde movement thereof.

8. In a meter mechanism, a support, a plurality of worms mountedtherein, a worm wheel coactin with said worms, :1 non-rotatable shaft orsaid wheel, a lever having a cam slot into which said shaft extends, avalve controlled by said lever, one of said worms bein adapted to beactuated by the bellows in t e gas meter, and means for actuating,theother of said worms.

9. In a meter mechanism, a shaft, a disk loosely mounted thereon,actuating means therefor including a clutch mechanism adapted to rotatesaid disk in one direction only, and valve controlling mechanismembodying a valve-carrying lever having an angularly inclined slot, saidmechanism being actuated by said disk.

10. In a meter mechanism, a stationary shaft, a disk loosely mountedthereon, a registering drum carried by said disk, an internal gearcarried by said disk, valve controlling mechanism embodying avalve-carrying love having an angularly inclined slot, said mechanismbeing actuated by said gear, means for preventing rearward movement ofsaid registering drum, and means for actuating said disk including aclutch mechanism.

11. In a meter mechanism, a stationary shaft, a disk loosely mountedthereon, an internal gear carried by said disk, valve controllingmechanism embodying a valve-car rying lever having angularly inclinedslot, said mechanism being actuated by said gear, a registering drumcarried by said disk and provided with ratchet teeth, a spring adaptedto coact with said ratchet teeth to prevent rearward movement of saiddrum, and means including a clutch mechanism for rotating said disk.

.12. In a meter mechanism, a shaft, a disk loosely mounted thereon, agear carried by said disk, a pinion co-acting with said gear. a secondgear actuated by said pinion, a worm, a pinion thereon operativelyconnected with said second gear, a valve actuated by said worm, saidvalve bein adapted to be closed by the fluid passing mm the machine, andmeans for actuating said disk.

13. In a meter mechanlsm, a stationary shaft, a disk thereon, aninternal gear carried by said disk, a registering drum mounted thereonhaving a toothed flange, a-igear (o-acting with said internal gear, astud carried by said gear, said stud being adapted to co-act with theteeth of said flange, means for preventing rearward movement of saiddrum, valve controlling mechanism actuated by said internal gear, andmeans for actuating said disk.

14-. ln :1 meter mechanism, a stationary shaft, a disk loosely mountedthereon, an internal gear carried thereby, a second disk loosely mountedon said shaft, a shaft.

mounted in said second disk, a pinion carried by said last named shaftand co-acting with said gear, a gear carried by said shaft, a train ofgears driven by said second gear, a Worm driven by said train of cars, a

WOI'IH wheel having a non-rotatab e shaft actuated by said worm, a valveadapted to be opened by said non-rotatable shaft, and means foractuating said first mentioned disk.

\Vl [JLIAM J. HILL.

NVitnesses H. S. FAIRBANKS, C. D. MCVAY.

